Luxury holidays in Segovia

Segovia is a place shrouded in legend. A quick chat with the locals will yield epic yarns and fantastical tales – a trait left over, perhaps, from its past life under Roman rule. Some say the city was founded by Hercules himself, and regardless of historical accuracy, it certainly looks the part. As if plucked from a fairytale, the province of Segovia is imperiously Castilian, with haughty mountain ranges and architecture to satisfy the most opulent of tastes. It’s said that Walt Disney modelled Cinderella’s castle on Segovia’s Alcázar, the imposing medieval fortress whose Gothic turrets loom over the city’s lush green belt. In the historic centre, it’s impossible to ignore the Aquaduct, a gargantuan feat of Roman engineering called ‘the devil’s bridge’ locally. Elsewhere in the province, the Gorges of the Duratón River and the Hayedo de Tejera Negra nature reserve are home to majestic birds of prey, offering tranquil escapes for nature lovers. For some romance, head to Ayllón and Pedraza for dreamy medieval squares, ornate terracotta facades and a taste of small-town Castilian charm.